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(Moderator:
Nick Badame Refrig/ACC
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Shepard Power Steering - 4106
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Topic: Shepard Power Steering - 4106 (Read 4426 times)
travlinman
Full Member
Posts: 230
Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
on:
December 23, 2012, 05:54:30 PM »
Hey Guys
Just wondering how much if any play is acceptable in my Shepard system? I currently have just over an inch at the steering wheel. A shop recommended a rebuild of the steering box and I am just concerned that they want to fix something that is not broken.
Thanks
TM
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Steve & Kristen Full time nomads since '06 - PD4106-674 8V71/V730
This bus is for sale -
https://gm4106.wordpress.com
buswarrior
Hero Member
Posts: 6569
the old one: '75 MC8 with an 8V71 HT740
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #1 on:
December 23, 2012, 06:13:38 PM »
Just over an inch?!?!
Don't let anyone touch anything!
You are the envy of the hobby with play like that.
happy coaching!
buswarrior
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Frozen North, Greater Toronto Area
new project: 1995 MCI 102D3, Cat 3176b, Eaton Autoshift
OneLapper
Hero Member
Posts: 861
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #2 on:
December 23, 2012, 08:18:59 PM »
BW is spot on!
I just installed a new Shepard system in my 4106. I replaced everything. Absolutely all of it; new box from Shepard, pitman arm, prop shaft, tie rod ends, bushings, shocks, air bags, king pins, brakes, etc etc. I have about the same amount of play and I couldn't tell you where or how.
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OneLapper
1964 PD4106-2853
www.markdavia.com
RJ
Vantaré Conversion "Miss Vivian"
Hero Member
Posts: 3938
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #3 on:
December 23, 2012, 09:11:39 PM »
Steve -
It ain't broke! Don't fix it!
Go drive and enjoy - even in the winter!
FWIW & HTH. . .
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1992 Prevost XL Vantaré Conversion M1001907 8V92T/HT-755 (DDEC/ATEC)
2003 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon "Towed"
Cheney WA (when home)
TomC
Hero Member
Posts: 9255
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #4 on:
December 24, 2012, 06:52:41 AM »
You may think you have 1" of travel (I bet you don't). Take a drive down a straight highway. Move the steering wheel minutely and you'll see the bus slowly start to move. I thought I had play also, just realized that the bus takes longer to react then even my truck. 1" isn't bad-the trick is to not move the steering wheel much-small corrections will make for a smoother ride. Good Luck, TomCa
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Tom & Donna Christman. 1985 Kenworth 40ft Super C with garage. '77 AMGeneral 10240B; 8V-71TATAIC V730.
luvrbus
Hero Member
Posts: 26067
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #5 on:
December 24, 2012, 07:42:13 AM »
There is chart on what the allowable is
16 to 18 inch wheel 4 inches
20 to 22 inch wheel 5 inches
no power steering the free play limit is 2 inches you are good to go Steve
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Life is short drink the good wine first
travlinman
Full Member
Posts: 230
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #6 on:
December 24, 2012, 07:49:07 AM »
Everyone,
Thanks for the replies. I had a feeling they may have been trying to make their boat payments for the month(fans of Car Talk will know what I mean). This recommendation came from a reputable shop but after spending an hour inspecting and cleaning my steering gear yesterday I thought everything looked fine.
Once again I am really glad that you guys are here.
Now on to the next project!
TM
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Steve & Kristen Full time nomads since '06 - PD4106-674 8V71/V730
This bus is for sale -
https://gm4106.wordpress.com
wg4t50
Hero Member
Posts: 913
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #7 on:
December 24, 2012, 11:39:55 AM »
The origional power steering in the MC7 was on the loose side, so when I was able, I converted to the newer steering gear box, eliminated the old system including the external hydraulic cylinder etc. Now intergal is very fine, only thing I did not do was replace the spring in the hydraulic pump for steering, so when stopped, it is hard to turn the wheel, but if movi9ng any, it is very nice. Am told if I had the heavier spring in the pumo to raise the pressure, it would be slick, never did it and am happy.
When I got the bus, it handled very poorly, had a safety steer on the tie rod, so having an education from Bear Front End school on trucks, I got into it, replaced most everything and removed the safety steer and it handled very accepable, later did the intergal steering gear that was the winner.
Dave M
Logged
MCI7 20+ Yrs
Foretravel w/ISM500
WG4T CW for ever.
Central Virginia
gus
Hero Member
Posts: 3632
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #8 on:
December 24, 2012, 03:11:29 PM »
I just went through this with the Sheppard factory.
Seems mine is a very old model and can never be improved to less than 1-2" at the wheel rim without a few thousand $ upgrade to a newer model.
Once I found that out I quit worrying about it.
I did tighten the bevel gear box at the bottom of the steering column a tiny bit which helped some.
Next I plan to install new sliding joints in the steering shafts because the splines and grooves are worn and loose. I may also install new U joints but they seem to be OK. All these little things can add up to a lot of play at the wheel.
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PD4107-152
PD4104-1274
Ash Flat, AR
Geoff
Hero Member
Posts: 1931
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #9 on:
December 24, 2012, 04:05:33 PM »
My RTS has Sheppard steering and there is a important part of testing for the steering wheel slop-- You need to check/measure the free play at the steering wheel with the engine turned off. If the engine is running it is too hard to tell how much free play you have. If your Sheppard steering is like the one in the RTS, you should only have a couple (2-3") of inches of free play with the engine turned off. With the engine running that translates to 6-8" of free travel.
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Geoff
'82 RTS AZ
Barn Owl
Roanoke, VA
Hero Member
Posts: 2082
PD4106-1063 "Wheezy Bus"
Re: Shepard Power Steering - 4106
«
Reply #10 on:
December 31, 2012, 10:42:16 PM »
You can look at a "how it works" diagram of this box and see that the "slack" you feel in the wheel is travel used to operate the valves. Somehow, even with the slack, you should find that your bus tracks straight. Not a difficult mod and well worth it for those contemplating this upgrade. NIMCO used to have a nice inexpensive kit, I don't know where you would go now.
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L. Christley - W3EYE Amateur Extra
Blue Ridge Mountains, S.W. Virginia
It’s the education gained, and the ability to apply, and share, what we learn.
Have fun, be great, that way you have Great Fun!
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Shepard Power Steering - 4106
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